(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

gender based violence

TRU students and faculty honour National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Dec 6, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University’s Faculty Association (TRUFA) marked the 35th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre with a solemn candlelight vigil on Friday (Dec. 6), joining communities across Canada in observing the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Students and faculty gathered to lay 14 white roses, each symbolizing a life lost in the tragic events of December 6, 1989, when a gunman targeted and killed 14 women at École Polytechnique in Montreal.

“This is the 35th year anniversary of this incident,” said Robline Davey, an organizer with TRUFA. “I think a lot of women, younger women who are in their 20s, weren’t around when this happened, so it’s good to bring awareness and its just a reminder of how we haven’t come that far yet.”

The vigil served as a powerful reminder that the fight against gender-based violence remains ongoing.

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For many students, particularly those in STEM fields, the day held deep personal significance.

“As a woman myself, especially in STEM, these things stay really close to my heart,” said Samantha Johaire, a fourth-year biology and pre-med student at TRU. “I want to make sure that I can learn more to spread the message and make sure that violence against women comes to a stop.”

The Montreal Massacre, which shocked the nation 35 years ago, has since become a catalyst for discussions on violence against women and led to significant policy changes, particularly around gun control.

The gunman, claiming to be “fighting feminism,” targeted women in engineering classes, an act that continues to resonate with students today.

“Even in 2024, women are still being prevented from accessing education, especially higher education,” said TRU graduate student Zafreen Jaffer. “A lot of cultural groups are not allowing women to access them. The Taliban recently prevented women from studying medicine and midwifery. This issue is still important today.”

The emotional impact of the commemoration was evident among attendees, many with tears in their eyes.

Anzoa Madelene Kajusa, a TRU journalism student who participated in the vigil, told CFJC News it was difficult to learn about the massacre and how much it resonated with her.

“It made me really emotional to know that I’m going to school, and someone could just take that away from me because I’m a woman,” said Kajusa. “It’s really chilling, just being in a classroom or trying to pursue a better life, and someone’s like, ‘You don’t deserve it because you’re a woman.'”

She says the tragedy has become a source of motivation for her.

“We just have to keep going,” said Kajusa. “I’m proud to be in university. It took me a while to get here, and it just makes me want to keep going, to pursue a master’s degree. It’s like they didn’t get a chance. It was cut short, but I can still go and keep going for them.”

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, was established by the Canadian parliament in 1991. On this day, flags on federal buildings are flown at half staff and people are encouraged to observe a moment of silence and wear a white ribbon.

“It’s really important that the women that are here stand up and say, ‘hey, we’re here, and we’re doing this’ because it paves the way for other women and other girls to say that they can do this, too,” said Jaffer. “The more of us that do it, the less likely this act will occur again, because there’s too many of us for us to stop.”